Actor and former MP Paresh Rawal has landed in the midst of a social media storm after posting a controversial remark about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on X (formerly Twitter). The post, which compared Gandhi to a donkey, has garnered over 1.9 million views and divided opinions online.
The controversy began when an X user named Zaffar shared an AI-generated image of Rahul Gandhi alongside a donkey, asking, “Can someone remove the donkey from this picture?” Rawal reposted the image with a sharp comment: “You mean empty the frame?”
You mean empty the frame ? https://t.co/H41C98lGob
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) January 12, 2025
The post triggered a flood of reactions. While some users found the humor “brutal,” others called it inappropriate. “There are two in it, you are asking me to empty it,” a user clarified for those who missed the intended joke. Another wrote, “It’s a normal post until you realise it’s the PARESH RAWAL.”
However, not everyone was amused. Several criticised the actor, questioning his intent and judgment. “What gives you the right to insult like this?” one user asked, while another urged him to “hesitate before posting such remarks.”
“Donkeys Are Hardworking, Why Use Them This Way?”
Amid the debate, some pointed out the unfair symbolism. “Donkeys are symbols of hard work and resilience. Why are they being dragged into this?” an anonymous user commented, reflecting sentiments reminiscent of George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
In Orwell’s allegory, animals represent human traits and political ideologies. The donkey, Benjamin, symbolises wisdom and perseverance, observing human folly with quiet detachment. Here, too, the donkey has become an unintended participant in political satire.
Rawal’s Political and Professional Journey
Paresh Rawal, who served as a BJP MP from Ahmedabad East in 2014, remains an active supporter of the party despite stepping back from electoral politics in 2019. His political affiliations often color public reactions to his social media posts.
On the professional front, Rawal continues to work on high-profile projects, including Bhooth Bangla, Welcome To The Jungle, and Hera Pheri 3.
While the debate around his comment rages on, Rawal has yet to address the criticism. For now, the donkey remains, in Orwellian terms, a silent observer in the theater of human politics.